Singapore Students Study Russian Language at Home and in Siberia

Nanyang Technological University and Tomsk State University launched joint projects to promote the Russian language.

The Singapore university opened a Russian language department for students with different proficiency levels after the two higher education institutes signed a cooperation agreement in 2016. In summer 2017, a group of NTU students arrived in Tomsk, Siberia, for a short bespoke Russian language programme at National Research Tomsk State University.

The intensive programme offered 60 hours of practice in spoken and written Russian. Singapore students studied grammar, learnt correct articulation of Russian words and read and analysed Russian mass media stories. An extra 20 hours were allotted for introduction to Russian culture and Siberia history. The students were awarded certificates and two ECTS credits after completing the summer school programme.

The universities are set to continue cooperation: plans are in place to combine Singapore students’ Russian language studies with short biodiversity and climate change courses. Students will have an opportunity to visit the Aktru Rsearch Station in Altai and participate in scientific studies.